Officer in charge of Operation
Goliath slams management at the venue for failing “to give the expected level of support to the investigation”

Police have applied to review the premises licence of the Concordia Theatre amid the child sex offences scandal which has engulfed the venue.

And the officer in charge of Operation
Goliath has criticised management at the Stockwell Head theatre for failing “to give the expected level of support to the investigation”.

The
force’s decision to ask Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for a review could lead to the theatre’s closure - this is one option of five open to the authority.

Detective
Inspector Rich Hiom also revealed two of the men indentified in the operation had previous convictions for child sex offences.

Leicestershire Police announced they were conducting a wide-scale investigation at the theatre at the beginning of this month.

Det Insp Hiom said: “Leicestershire Police can confirm the two men arrested so far are being investigated for possession of indecent images of children.

“As part of our investigation we identified two other men who have previous convictions for child sex offences. These were committed many years ago and both have completed their sentences.

“Another man, Matthew Wilson, was convicted in 2013 of serious sexual offences involving children, most of
whom were targeted through the theatre.

“The common theme for all five men is they all have strong connections to the Concordia Theatre and all the men are being or have been investigated for offences involving the sexual abuse of children.

“The two men with earlier convictions have now been removed from the theatre. However the theatre management failed to give the expected level of support to the investigation.

“An
application has been made to review the Concordia Theatre’s premises licence - which governs the provision of entertainment, alcohol, and the
sale of hot food late at night. This is because one of the four objectives of the Licensing Act is to ensure the protection of children from harm.”

Det Insp Hiom said it was a difficult decision to apply for the licence review and said: “We have not taken the action so far lightly and we look forward to the day when we can be confident that the theatre is a safe place for
children.

“We recognise the disruption this is causing but these actions have been taken in order to protect children and young people at the theatre now and in the
future.”

A spokesperson from Leicestershire Police said: “I cannot reveal where the images were made, copied or downloaded because this could prejudice future proceedings.”

A
spokesman from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council confirmed the council had received the application to review the licence for the theatre.

He said: “A hearing has been scheduled on Friday March 14 at 10am in the De Montfort
Suite in The Hub. We have allocated five hours for the meeting which will be held in private session.

“It
will be heard by a panel of three councillors. Those involved - including the theatre - will have a chance to say their piece. Normally the panel try to give an answer there and then but if not then they have
to give their judgement to all working parties within five working days.

“If any of the parties is unhappy with the verdict they have the right to appeal to magistrates’ court.”

The
panel has five options - to modify the conditions of the premises licence, to exclude a licensable activity from the scope of the license,
to remove the designated premises supervisor, to suspend the licence for a period not exceeding three months, or to revoke the licence completely which would mean the theatre would be closed.

The options come into force with immediate action unless an appeal is lodged.

Leicestershire
County Council have defended their actions in not issuing performance licences - which are needed for children that are of compulsory school age and have been on stage more than four times in six months - and letters of exemption - which are needed for all children performing for four days or less.

Lesley Hagger, director for children and family services director at Leicestershire County Council, said: “It’s important to stress that we have found the safeguarding procedures in place at the theatre to be inadequate and given these circumstances, it would not be right for us to issue performance licences for children.

“Alongside
the police, we are seeking to engage positively with the Concordia to improve its procedures, so we and the community can be confident that children taking part in theatre activities are safe.”

Management at the Concordia Theatre refused to comment on the latest developments.

Leicestershire
Police are still calling for any victims or anyone with information that could help the enquiry to contact them on 101, quoting Operation Goliath, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If young people need help or support from someone they can talk to confidentially by ringing ChildLine.

This is a 24 hours a day service and can be contacted by chat and email at www.childline.org.uk or on 0800 1111.

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